Better WiFi Broadband – an eagle eyed resident spotted a a possible Broadband improvement opportunity which is currently being looked at. The Government is providing up to £210m worth of voucher funding as immediate help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas. Vouchers worth up to £1,500 for homes and £3,500 for businesses are available to help cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband to people’s doorsteps. It needs to be a collective application, so if your interested please let me know via resotan@aol.com. Link here for more details – https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk

Free workshops – In conjunction with South Norfolk and Broadlands Council, Laura Woollacott is running two free workshops this month, details here…FREE workshops

Some very important local info so headline billing….click on the links below

Healthwatch Norfolk Cancer Project 
Covid Update 25/03/21
NALC Campaigns – Reduce Single Use Waste Campaign  & Be Prepared For Flooding 

ALSO, Norfolk Citizens Advice have launched a new initiative to assist individuals in need – Grants for Individuals in need database. The database is funded as part of the Coordinated Community Support Programme and is open access on the Norfolk Citizens Advice website. The database contains largely small local grant giving organisations that operate in Norfolk.
The webpage contains:

• Brief information on how to use the database
• A short video demonstration
• A tips document on maximising successful applications with hints and tips from grant organisation trustees
• A feedback link to report out of date information, suggest organisations to include,  or just give feedback on your experience of using the database

COVID 19 restrictions – are relaxing as we speak, but we will continue to leave all relevant info here for anyone who wishes to continue to use for the meantime. Norfolk Association of local Councils have provided info on help for people who are self isolating, details here and the latest Government guidance is available here. 

Shotesham Parish Council with PCC and SVA – Contacts for assistance if required remain:-

Bob Harris.         550672.   hill.cottage@btinternet.com
Jeff Gough.        550358.   clerk.shotesham@outlook.com
Heather Jackson 550785.   heatherbelljackson@btinternet.com
Ken Munro         550736.   resotan@aol.com

The DIARY – Click here

Easter Treasure Hunt – A message from the SVA –
‘We hope some of you managed to get out in the sunshine (and occasional wind💨 and snow❄️ and take part in the Easter Trail this weekend. Thanks to all this who decorated the Easter eggs, and for those who missed it, photo below’

Willow Weaving – lots of weaving done at Christine’s, and here’s the photos to prove it!

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And, for later in the year – Other things being looked at are, our standard Tour de Shotesham (although this will be a little later in the year so watch this space!), a possible village gathering in lieu of the Village Fete in August (for Shotesham residents only unfortunately), the Shotesham Duck Race (depends on water flow in the Beck, and again later than normal), and maybe even the much appreciated Barn Dance in September. All of these will, of course, depend on the progress of Unlockdown, so keep an eye on the website – www.shotesham.com and our email system, which if you haven’t already got your email address on the list, we’d be more than pleased to add it. Contact Ken at resotan@aol.com or Emma at emmahandbury@hotmail.com

SVA donations, many thanks to everyone who has given a donation for membership of the Shotesham Village Association to date. Obviously we would like to have everyone in Shotesham as members, and don’t forget that for only £3 per adult, you can continue to get all the SVA service you know and love! You can make your contribution by bank transfer to account name Shotesham Village Association – A/C no. 23782145, sort code 60-15-31. Please use your surname & SVA (e.g. Munro SVA) as a reference. 

Or return the completed form (click here) to – Raz Woollacott, 5 the Grove, The Street, Shotesham All Saints. NR15 1XJ, or Ken Munro, Flint Cottage, The Common, Shotesham All Saints. NR15 1YD with cash subscription or a cheque payable to Shotesham Village Association.

Walking in Shotesham –  Village Walks back up and running with next one planned for Sunday 16th May, meet at Trinity at 10.15. The Globe of course now open for refreshments if desired and, if your venturing further afield, don’t forget Simon and Jo’s Coffee Van at High Ash Farm.  

In the meantime, here’s a reprise of our 2020’s walks, courtesy of Judie……
Winter Sunshine and new life (and walking) coming…

Photos by Judie

…and winter wildlife, courtesy of Tom Higgin

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Wildlife in Shotesham – who knew we had so many different wildlife species on our doorstep?! Village resident, Andy Musgrove is busy collecting and collating them all and, whilst in his own words he hasn’t got them all yet, click here for a few to be getting on with. Careful though, it could make your hair stand on end!! 

Other Information –

Even with the world wide crisis, some people are still looking to take advantage of any weaknesses. As always, please keep an eye out for any unusual activity, remember that if you spot anything suspicious the police can be contacted by phoning 101. 

SCAM AWARE! Due to the increasing occurrence of scams, we’ve decided to feature a log of examples on the site which will feature examples of things to avoid, and hopefully give a general of the types of scams that are out there. If you experience anything suspicious, please send evidence via email (Contact Us above) and we’ll add them to the list. Thanks for your help and, as always, don’t respond to anything you’re not sure of, and you can always look up the Scam Aware website or Google the company name (other search engines are available). REMEMBER, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s probably a DUCK! Click on the links for some examples – text msg – Email Provider – Letters promising $millions!!
To emphasise the extent of the SCAMMING problem,  click here  for an up to date message from our Community Police Engagement Officer, and advice from NLC on scam avoidance – see it here. Look out, other scams are available!! 

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital’s ‘Settle in Services’ are looking for dedicated volunteers who wish to give something back to their local community. Volunteers meet patients on their day of discharge from hospital to help settle them back in to their own environment. Click here for more information 

Thinking Fuel – If you feel you may be paying too much for your oil, Community Action Norfolk (CAN) have a scheme that may assist. Click here to see how you might save and here to see how it works, or go directly to the CAN website for more details.

Our local police officer is PC 1151 Sherry Locke who now holds the position of Poringland Beat Manager, contact details for all our local officers – click here.

Local Police info – latest Covid update 16th April – Covid Update  & Crime Prevention Bulletin 

News from Norfolk Police Commissioner –March Newsletter

Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)